Renters Rights Act
27th October 2025
After much anticipation and speculation, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 finally received Royal Assent on the 27th October 2025. The Government has since confirmed that the first phase of the measures of the Act will come into force on the 1st May 2026.
So what are the key measures of the Act?
- Existing assured tenancies (fixed term and periodic) will convert to periodic assured tenancies. This means that by default all tenancies will become periodic (rolling) tenancies. With all tenancies being periodic, tenants can decide to end their tenancy by giving just two months’ notice.
- No new fixed term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) can be granted.
- Section 21 “no fault” eviction notices can no longer be served, meaning landlords can no longer evict tenants without providing a valid ground.
- Limits on rent increases. Rents will be increased by landlords once every twelve months, to the open market rent only.
- Prohibition on rental bidding wars.
- Anti-discriminatory measures (prohibiting refusals based on benefits or children).
- Tenants will have the right to request they rent with a pet and permission cannot be unreasonably withheld by the landlord. Landlords cannot require insurance to cover pet damage or increase the deposit for additional risk.
- New regulatory framework.
- Enhanced enforcement powers for local authorities.
Further parts of the Act will be implemented later in 2026 although there is plenty of food for thought for landlords in the meantime, particularly the implications of extended notice periods and restrictions on regaining the property when deciding whether to sell, move back in or renew existing tenancy agreements.
Article written by Property Solicitor Ben James